DigiSoft.tv has signed a global Binary Value Added Partner agreement with Sun Microsystems for the distribution of a Java Platform Micro Edition based software stack for IPTV STBs.

Sun's Java technology-based media client combined with DigiSoft’s advanced middleware solution for IPTV Set Top Boxes enables service providers to rapidly launch feature-rich, revenue-generating HD services such as Video and Music on Demand, karaoke, home shopping, network-based recording / time-shifted TV, games and more on a wide range of IPTV STBs with H.264 HD and SD video. Also supported is the latest encryption and watermarking technologies from selected partners. The combined DigiSoft / Sun software stack offers IPTV service providers the most open, cost-effective, flexible IPTV middleware solution available in the market today.

Kasenna announces that the Clarksville, Tennessee Department of Electricity has deployed a new digital video service based on Kasenna LivingRoom middleware and MediaBase video servers. The new video service, called CDE Lightband, is a triple-play offering that features 200 channels of high-quality digital video, an interactive programming guide, and video on demand service, along with 10Mbps Internet and telephony services.

With this deployment, CDE becomes one of the leaders of a new trend for utilities to reduce operating expenses and leverage their infrastructure by offering new services to subscribers. The CDE was interested in deploying fiber to properties in its service area near Nashville in order to implement automated meter checks. With a network proposed, however, the utility realized that it could drive new revenues by adding triple play services to the network. In a citywide referendum held in late 2006, the CDE plan was approved by 72 percent of voters.

Industria announces Zignal 2.0 a groundbreaking and unprecedented IPTV middleware platform designed to bridge the gap between the TV user’s expectations and the solutions currently available in the IPTV market space.

Built using device agnostic technology, the Zignal 2.0 user interface can be rendered in the fastest available technology on each device. Already deployed on each of the three screens, set-top-boxes, PCs and mobile phones, Zignal makes the best use of its small memory-footprint while maintaining a user interface that stays in tune with user’s expectations.

Dreampark to deliver its Dreamgallery middleware to Spanish triple-play operator, TV Almansa through the cooperation with Spanish system integrator bcSistemas. bcSistemas will offer Dreampark’s IPTV middleware and provide system integration services to its customers. The first operator contract is signed and the system will be delivered in February.

Dreamgallery is an ideal solution for System Integrators because it enables them to make changes to the offering independent of the middleware provider. With Dreamgallery, SI’s can add features, functionality and integration without Dreampark thus increasing their flexibility and control over their content and operations. In addition, Dreamgallery’s easy-to-use administration enables independent local adoption of the portal and content.

Sky Italia has entered into a multi-year renewal of its middleware license agreement with OpenTV. Sky Italia is Italy's premier provider of satellite television, offering a variety of programming choices to more than four million subscribers.

"We are extremely pleased with Sky Italia's decision to renew our relationship on a long term basis and explore OpenTV's full range of next generation middleware products," said Ben Bennett, OpenTV's Chief Operating Officer. "Our goal is to continue building on this strong partnership by ensuring our technology is aligned as closely as possible with Sky Italia's business needs; a long term partnership means OpenTV providing Sky Italia with proven and innovative solutions that help grow their business and retain customers through world-class enhanced, interactive and targeted services."

Dreampark announces that TUS TELEKOM has selected Dreamgallery as the middleware for their IPTV solution. Dreampark's IPTV middleware (Dreamgallery) maximizes operator flexibility by taking advantage of the powers of the HTML standard. Dreamgallery enables operators to move faster than the competition in order to create unique differentiators, and who want to base their solutions on standards rather than being locked in to a proprietary platform. The solution enables graphical flexibility due to the ability to generate pictures out of templates on the server side.

BitBand has been selected to supply its IPTV video servers to Connexion Technologies. Through the agreement, BitBand Technologies will help Connexion Technologies provide multi-dwelling residences and communities with advanced entertainment packages delivered over a single Fiber to the Home network.

Connexion Technologies deploys fiber-optic infrastructures for properties in the US. The company designs, installs and operates the networks and provides a one-stop-shop for real estate developers and communities. Utilizing BitBand's solution allows Connexion Technologies to enable and immediately deploy on-demand IPTV applications and business models.

UNE-EPM Telecommunications has selected Orca’s advanced RiGHTv middleware to enable the first IPTV service rollout in Colombia. The IPTV deployment will be carried out by Union Electrica S.A., Orca’s partner and system integrator in the project, providing a seamless, end-to-end solution. UNE-EPM Telecommunications’s IPTV service is expected to be available in major cities across Colombia in the first quarter of 2008.

SeaChange unveiled its TV Platform Developer Program at IBC 2007 this week. Leading providers of applications and infrastructure solutions are embracing this IPTV catalyst, taking full advantage of SeaChange’s open standards-based TV Navigator middleware to participate in a broad marketplace of seamlessly integrated options for television operators.

Five of the TV Platform Development Partners announced at IBC include Freethinking, Integra5, Snap TV, TwoWay TV, and Verimatrix. The program is designed to deliver value-added applications that leverage the modularity of SeaChange’s TV Navigator middleware. Partners gain a significant lift amid SeaChange’s global IPTV activities, including access to product support, resources, and tools to assist in porting and developing products and services for TV Platform.

Orca Interactive announces that it is first to market with a unique combined IPTV and WebTV solution. Orca is delivering its innovative new WebTV technology to Blockbuster Israel, enabling the leading content provider to deliver advanced digital content services to its subscribers.

Expanding on Orca Interactive’s cutting edge RiGHTv middleware platform with all-new capabilities, the combined IPTV and WebTV solution supports both managed and unmanaged environments, eliminating boundaries to help service providers expand their customer base and market reach. IPTV service providers will also be able to broaden offerings to existing subscribers with anytime, anywhere TV services for on-the-go digital content over mobile PCs. In addition, content offerings can be extended beyond IPTV to enable WebTV, diverse multimedia, niche content and user generated content.

The cost of deploying new IPTV services can be reduced by as much as 33% if operators select open, scalable and more flexible middleware, according to a new white paper released by Espial. With middleware like Espial's Evo IPTV Service Platform, operators can save upwards of $195 million when deploying new IPTV services, based on a five-year deployment scenario to one million subscribers.

DigiSoft.tv announces the release of DigiTracker to the global market. DigiTracker is a world first for digital interactive TV. The product is specifically designed for global IPTV operators to allow tracking of mobile phones by viewers. This new opt-in application will allow TV viewers such as parents to see the current location of their children's mobile phone on their TV screen. It will also allow text or SMS messages to be sent to that phone. DigiTracker uses integrations to Location Based Services and mapping systems to enable the plotting of a mobile location on a map and display it on the TV thus allowing for the first time ever, parents to know exactly where their children are at any time.

Coventive has signed an agreement to license Espial's Evo Client. The Evo Client enables content-rich applications and Internet-on-TV services for subscribers. To date Espial has shipped more than one million Evo subscriber licenses worldwide. Coventive selected Evo Client to power its multimedia set-top boxes. Leveraging Evo's small footprint and open architecture, Coventive was able to integrate the middleware into its highly-reliable STB that adopts the latest System on a Chip design. This combination enables low power consumption and board minimization; important features for operators and system integrators alike.

RealPage has licensed Espial's Evo IPTV Service Platform. RealPage provides products and services to more than 20,000 apartment communities across the United States, representing over four million dwelling units. Its on-demand product lines include property management systems, sales and marketing systems, revenue management systems, and billing and payment services that help real estate professionals automate and enhance key business processes.

Espial's flagship Evo IPTV Service Platform, which includes the carrier-grade Evo Server, Evo Client middleware, the open Evo Future-Proof Framework, and various applications including Evo EPG and Evo VOD, was designed as a more open, modular, scalable and faster alternative to other more monolithic solutions on the market.